Today I’m praying for two friends; a peaceful death for one, successful brain surgery for the other. These prayers are needed at this very moment, because it’s happening for my friends at this very moment--at the very moment I woke up, during my walk on the beach and now as I write. How can I sustain this kind of prayer, this life and death prayer? With the grace of God I do the best I can. When I pray in words I ask for very specific results. I try to pray thy will be done, but I really want my will be done. I believe God understands this as coming from compassion, certainly not from a systematic theological book. Even writing this blog is prayer. My better prayer, however, is one without words, when my thoughts and judgments disappear and I’m just lifting up the Light. The joining of thy and my will be done. God and me.